The rightful heir to the taco throne

Feb 1, 2018 4:00 AM

It depresses me how few people know about Taco King, the unassuming Mexican joint nestled in a strip mall on the south side of Higuera. You know ... between SLO Beverages and More and House of Bagels? It's just so good and so affordable and so authentic and (sadly) so overlooked. Starting off fresh in 2018, I feel it is my chubby duty to teeter atop my high horse (I'm short, a standard pony is pretty tall to me) and wag my finger at all you so-called taco experts. I try not to abuse this important epicurean space nor blab on and on about my own high-minded judgments (by now you know I'm the farthest thing from a food "critic." I am more of a food "loud mouth"). Full disclosure: I am an extremely white woman without a lick of Mexican magic in my blood. But seriously, hombres! No longer can I endure blank stares after suggesting my favorite taco joint in SLO. My advice: Don't delay. Don't even look at the menu (it's all good, but the menu is longer than a list of Henry the VIII's mental problems). Just go in there and order a bunch of al pastor tacos. Bam. Go to the fresh salsa bar. Get in on all that lovely just-made mango salsa (with the big beautiful chunks of ripe mango). Actually, get in on all the salsas. This last part is absolutely crucial. Next, email me your allegiance for this new reign of taco royalty, or challenge me to a duel. Either way, I will continue to hail the king.

Taco King is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 158 South Higuera St. Δ